Field Work on a Wheelchair at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Hello I am Hiyoko! I have been working for the Japanese Red Cross Language Service Volunteers as an Accessible member for two years. Today, five of us examined the accessibility of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory. We arranged to meet at the Police Box at Shinjuku Station West Exit. It is on your right side from the West Exit and easy to find.

You can take the Shuttle Bus from the West Square to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, but we tried to take Moving Walkway. Unfortunately, the Moving Walkway wasn't working that day because it was under construction. So, we walked on the underpass to Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

都庁行きのバスThe Shuttle Bus to Tokyo Metropolitan Government

ノンスッテプバスの表示The label of low-floor bus

動く歩道The Under pass

10分位歩いて行くと地上に出ます。視界が開けて、晩秋の景色がとってもステキでした。After walking for about ten minutes, we went up to the ground level. Our field of vision suddenly expanded. We saw the beautiful late autumn scenery. It was a nice view!

晩秋の都庁前Late autumn scenery at Tokyo Metropolitan Government

少し歩いて行くと、東京都議会議事堂前に出ました。議事堂入り口へはスロープが設置してあります。We soon arrived at the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Building. The wheelchair slope was installed in front of the entrance.

The North Observatory is located on the 45th floor and it takes only 55 seconds by direct elevator. Usually, we get on the elevator on the 1st floor and get off on the 2nd floor. However, wheelchair users and baby stroller users can get off on the 1st floor on their return upon request.

We arrived at the Observatory on the 45th floor and it is 202 meters above the ground. Surprisingly, the entrance fee was free! We saw skyscrapers in Shinjuku Station West Side, Tokyo Sky Tree and so on. We also saw Shinjuku Chuo Park just below our eyes. If the sky is clear, you can see Mt. Fuji in the distance.

展望室からの景色（高層ビル）The scenery of skyscrapers from the Observatory

展望室からの景色（新宿中央公園）The scenery of Shinjuku Chuo Park from the Observatory

There are some souvenir shops and a restaurant in the Observatory. I recommend the restaurant "Good View Tokyo". The atmosphere is calm. You can enjoy the magnificent view from the counter seats. There are two steps from the entrance to the tables. The restaurant has a ready ramp available for wheelchair users.

車イス用のボードThe ramp for wheelchair users

ドリンクバーが充実しています。特に紅茶は、自分で好きな葉をブレンドすることができます。私たちは、ここでゆったりと楽しいひと時を過ごしました。There is a self-service drinking area where you can drink your favorite soft drinks at your convenience. You can also blend your favorite tea leaves. We spent some time in a relaxed mood there.

グッドビュー東京の入り口The entrance of "Good View"

店内での楽しいひと時We are in a relaxed mood!!

ドリンクバー（紅茶）The tea leaves

ドリンクバー（ジュース）Fresh juice

45階の展望室には、多目的トイレのみあります。車イスの方、高齢者、乳幼児を連れた方が利用できます。一般の入場者は一段下の44階のトイレを使用することになっています。The multipurpose restroom is located on the 45th floor. It is for wheelchair users, elderly persons and visitors with infants. Other people are required to use the restrooms on the 44th floor.

The autumn leaves in Shinjuku Chuo Park were so beautiful that we decided to visit. It is located on the opposite side of the street. There is no pedestrian crossing but only a pedestrian bridge. Only pedestrians and bicycle users can make use of the bridge. Wheelchair uses cannot use the bridge. We had no choice but to cross the pedestrian crossing some distance away.

公園に通じる陸橋The pedestrian bridge to the park

陸橋前の看板The information at the pedestrian bridge

公園内のスロープThe wheelchair slope in the park

公園の案内地図The map in the park

新宿駅への帰りも同様に遠回りをしました。車椅子にも対応した陸橋があったら良いのにと思いました。スペースの関係で難しいのでしょうか？We had to walk a long way back to Shinjuku Station as well. I wish there was a pedestrian bridge for wheelchair users. Would it be possible?

調査を終えて駅へ向かう頃は、夕暮れで、付近のホテルのイルミネーションが綺麗でした。On our way back to Shinjuku Station, we saw the beautiful illumination!